MOVIE REVIEW - Cyrus

It's always interesting to so see little, independent movies that are in limited release. And in very limited release is Cyrus.

Cyrus stars John C. Reilly, Marisa Tomei, Katherine Keener and Jonah Hill, who is Cyrus. This is a very interesting, and daring story to tell, as it is an indictment of sorts on soft parenting, single parent households and entitled children. As most Indy's, it is a little quirky and a bit off center. But it's honest, has a story to tell, and tells it well. Whether or not you want to look at this sea of dysfunction is your decision. With that said, this is considered a comedy. Be it a dark one.

John (Reilly) is a divorced, middle aged guy who doesn't have a lot going for him. He's still torn over his divorce 7 years ago from Jamie (Keener). He has terrible self esteem and somehow this "Shrek like" loser, ends up having a torrid affair with Molly (Tomei). She is young and beautiful, and has a 21 year old son, Cyrus. Cyrus is one strange young man, and he is always in the way.

Cyrus is trying to destroy the budding relationship between John and Molly. He is a lying, manipulative, underhanded kid, who has successfully put blinders on his mothers eyes about him and his ways. Cyrus is so strange, that you are wondering the whole time if there's something wrong with him or not. The only thing wrong with him is that he is one incredibly awful kid who has been pampered and spoiled his whole life, and has learned the system of running his mother. He's a mooch, with no motivation, and can only see what he wants.

The movie Cyrus is a very well told movie with Hill really taking center stage as our lead character. This is a "little" movie that won't be for everyone. Sometimes these kind of flicks are too off beat for many, but I enjoyed it. This was very honored at the Sundance Film Festival. If you are lucky enough to find this movie at the metroplex, it's the movie at the end of the hallway next to the concession stand that's never open, and you might have to turn on the projector yourself, but if you love off beat movies, this could be your call.

Cyrus. Proof positive that in the summer of big action thrillers and over the top special effects flicks, that there is still room for a good and new story that can be told. Off-beat, direct, and not for all, but still pretty good.